Dredging system



C. J. BAER.

DREDGING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man )ULY 28.1920

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

C. J. BAER. DREDGING SYSTEM.

APPLICATlON FILED JULY 28, 1920.

1,399,286. Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

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DREDGING SYSTEM. APPLICATION man JULY'ZB, 1920.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

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CARL J. BAER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

DREIDGIN G SYSTEMI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application filed July 28, 1926. Serial No. 399,544.

T 0 all whom may concern:

'Be it known'that I, CARL J. BAER, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements 1n Dredging Systems, of which the followingis a Specification.

My invention relates primarily to means for and method of dredgingrivers and, more particularly, to the provision of means and methodswhereby navigable channels may be cut in beds of rivers of shallowwaters, although, as hereinafter pointed out, the invention may beeifectively practised in the deeper waters. The invention alsocontemplates tie removal of and alluvial deposits, whereby, in certaincases, a channel is restored.

he present method of forming navigable channels is by the utilization ofthe well known steam dredges, usually carrying dredging buckets, whichcut out the channel and deposit the sand and silt-upon scows barges forremoval. This system is, in some localities, prohibitively expensive andis always long and tedious undertaking. 7

My method contemplates the utilization of means confining the runningwater to the proper limits and direction, thereby increasing the speedof said water and forcing it to take the desired path and cut the properchannel, or to remove the alluvial deposit.

F-uzh a method has'been attempted in the past, but, due to the omissionof certain steps of the method, and because of the non-recog nizancc otwell-known engineering laws, such attempts have heretofore been abortiveMy invention therefore consists generally in the method and meanswhereby the above named objects are obtainable, together with otherswhich will hereinafter appear.

The nature of the system devised by me for accomplishing the proposedresult, makes it appropriate that, before entering into the detailsthereof, I should briefly outline the technical considerations uponwhich it is hased.

A serious difiiculty which, in many parts of the world, constitutesveritable bar to obstructive sand bars bar of sand or river navigationon a very sists in the fact that, while the main river waterways arecommercially navigable along a portion of their length, the difficultyof navigation increases in approaching the source. Moreover the verylarge inland waterways, such as the lilississippi, are fed by numeroustributaries such as the Arkansas, and such tributaries, especially infiat countries, are usually a very Wide body of water of a depth notpermitting commercial navigation.

A further impedance to river navigation consists in the tendency of manyrivers to form bars of sand and other alluvial deposits, not only attheir mouths but also at the point of confluence with other rivers. Thecause in both cases is the contrary action and partial equilibrium oftwo opposing currents-as, for example, that of the river against that ofthe tide in the one case, and those of two confluent streams in theother case. Such bars effectively block any channels which may havepreviously been formed, and the removal of these bars con-' stitutes arestoration of Up to the present time, as before stated, the mostefiicacious means which have been employed for the purpose ofcounteracting to some degree the formation of such bars, consists in theutilization of powerful dredges, the building of permanent wing dams,jetties, etc. Some of the attendant disadvantages of the dredging systemhave been enumerated, and a long and detailed stud; of river currents,involving years of experimentation, has led me to believe that thedredging system is not the most eflicacious for removing bars andcutting channels. I have therefore sought to devise a ystem which, byavailing itself of the force of the current of the stream, shouldprovide a p rmanent remedy, and one which involves a comparatively smalloriginal outlay, together with a minimum or" subsequent work. Thissystem as will. hereinafter appear, sists not only in initially cuttingin large inland water ways above the present point of navigation. but informing such channels in tributaries; also in removing a channel.

large scale, coni bars of sand or alluvial deposits which have partiallyor wholly blocked the previously formed channels, the necessary powerfor carrying out the major portion of the work being in all casesfurnished by the force of the water of the stream, confined withincertain predetermined limits.

The accompanying drawings which form a art of this specification,illustrate my method and a novel apparatus capable of practising it.

This application is a continuation, in part, of my application SerialNo. 328,787, Dredging systems, filed October 6, 1919. In the drawingsFigure 1 is a detailed plan view, showing a plurality of damunits inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of one of the dam units.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is across-section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. i

r Fig. 5 is a plan top view of the unit.

Fi 6 is an enlarged section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the dam unit with its front endelevated and its rear end submerged. V

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of one of the sealing plates.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View of the adjacent ends of two units showingmethod of contact of the sealing plates.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a detail of the chain links.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the partitions,sealing plates, and guides therefor.

The dam emit.

taken on line 3--3 as of In order to practice my method, I have deviseda dam unit which is possessed of several novel characteristics. It isequipped with a tractive device which, by means of a motor, is capableof propelling the unit through the water, or on the land. The tractivedevice extends downwardly below the hull of the unit, and, uponengagement with the bottom or bed of the river or other body of water,is capable of moving the unit along the bottom or bed.

The unit is provided with a plurality of water tight compartments, andwith means whereby said compartments may be individually flooded andemptied. Either end of the unit may be in its normal position on thewater, while the'other end is submerged.

In the drawings, the unit, as a whole, is indicated by the letter A, andis preferably of the general configuration shown in the drawings. It ispreferably formed of metal plates, so that it may withstand thepressures and other usages to which it is subjected in operation, butthe particular material'is unimportant, so long as it is of sufficientstrength and buoyancy.

As shown in the drawings the unit is provided with side lates B, a deckCand a hull D. The prow IE is here shown asconvexed, and the stern Fasconcav'ed, for a purpose to be hereinafter specified. a

The unit is here shown as provided with a tractive device somewhatsimilar to a caterpillar tractor. This device consists of an endlesschain 2, provided with a paddle of stepper members 3, the chain having alongitudinal path of travel from approximately end to end of the unit,and extending vertically below the hull and also above the water line,as shown in Fig. 2. The chain is made up of links at, to which theaddles or steppers 3 are suitably so cure Guide wheels 5, 5 are securedto each end of the unit, and guiderollers 6, 6 are similarly securednear the bottom of the plates B. in described, is provided for each sideof the unit.

Aanotor G is provided for each tractive device, said'motor being of anypreferred type, and preferably mounted upon the deck structure. Themotor shaft 7 is here shown as extending longitudinally of the deck, andcarries aworm 8, adapted for cooperation with a worm gear 9. The wormgear 9 is carried by a shaft 10 supported at one 7 end and havingbearing in a bracket 11, the other end of said shaft extending throughthe side B of the unit, and carrying pinions 12, 12 provided with teethadapted to engage the links f of the chain 2. It is obvious from thefore going that, when the motor is turning the shaft 7, and the parts inthe position shown in Fig. 2, the tractive element is being forcedaround the rollers 5 and 6. In order to properly support and betterguide the tractive element, a runway B is provided at either side of theunit, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, by so forming the sides that theyproject and occupy the space between the upper and lower portions of theelement. In actual ractice, anti-friction rollers are placed in t erunways B.

A clutch member 13, operated by a hand lever 1&,is adaptedto couple anduncouple the shaft 7 to the shaft 7 which carries the flywheel 15.

The unit is here shown as interiorly provided, on each side, with threecompartments, H, I and J. The compartments H and J are of coursewatertight and are provided with gates 16 operable to open and closeports 17 which permit ingress of water,

when it is desired to partially submerge the units. The compartments Hand J are separated from the compartment I, which One tractive elementas hereplurality of contains the gears 9, shafts 10 etc, by partitions18, 19, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The gates 16 are here shown as vertically slidable. A indicated in Fig.4 each gate is vertically slidable in a track or guideway 20, and isprovided with a laterally extending lug 21 which incloses an interiorlyscrewthreaded collar 22. Extending through a bearing bracket 28, is arod 24, the lower end of said rod being screw-threaded and extendingthrough the collar 22, rigidly secured to the lug 21. To the. upper endof the rod 24 is secured a beveled pinion 25, in mesh with a similarpinion 26 carried by a shaft 27 which has bearing in the plate B. Theother end of said shaft is supported in a depending bracket 28, andcarries a pinion 29 which is in mesh with a pinion 30, carried by a stubshaft 31. As shown, the shaft 31 extends through the deck C, and carriesa hand wheel 32 whereby the shaft may be rotated.

It is obvious from the foregoing that rotation of the hand wheel 32 willcause a Vertical movement of the gates 16, to open or close the ports17, in the compartments H and J. WVhen it is desired to allow the unitto rest upon the bottom, the ports 17 are opened and the compartments Hand J either or both, are flooded. It now becomes necessary to restorethe buoyancy of the unit by emptying the compartments H and J one orboth.

Mounted above the compartment J, on each side, is a pump K. As shown inFig. 6, one of the pumps K is provided with a pipe 33, connected to twopipes 33 and 33 the latter passing through the deck and terminating inscreens 34, adjacent the floor of the compartment. This pump is adaptedto empty the two front compartments. The other pump K is provided with apipe 33, extending rearwardly and int-o one of the compartments in therear. A branch pipe 333 connects with the pipe 33, and extends into theopposite rear compartment. This pump K is therefore. operable to emptythe two rear compartments.

The pump K is shown as power operated. It is mounted upon a shaft inalinement with the shaft of the motor G, and a clutch 36, operated by ahand lever 37 is adapted to couple and uncouple the pump K to saidshaft. as will be understood.

The Sealing plates.

The beds of rivers are ordinarily uneven. is will hereinafter appear astep in my method necessitates that the units be sunk upon the bed ofthe river. and, if the bed under the unit is not level, the water willpass below the unit. jectionable feature, and to provide additionalmooring effect while the dam is being ment the rear To prevent thisobformed, as will hereinafter bemore fully explained, I provide aplurality of sealing plates M. These plates are here shown as extendinglongitudinally .of the unit, and adapted for vertical movement withrespect thereto.

The plates M are formed of any suitable material, but preferably ofsheet metal. A plurality of them are arranged in alinement, and adaptedfor interfitting and dovetail engagement, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.Each plate is provided on its side face with a worm rack 40. Adjacentthis rack and in operative engagement therewith is a worm shaft 41having a bearing 42 in the bottom of the unit, and terminating above thedeck of the unit in an operating wheel-43. ,By turning the wheel 43 theplates M may be raised or lowered as desired. Each of the plates arealike, and the operating mechanism just described is applicable to allof them. Each. plate may be independently operated.

The operating wheel 43 is here shown as a hand wheel. It will beobvious, however, that the shaft 41 might readily be connected up to theshaft 7 by means of worm gears or otherwise, so that the plates could bemoved by power from the motor G.

As shown in the drawings the end plates of each unit project beyond thebody of the unit, for interfitting engagement with the projecting plateof the adjacent unit. From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be observedthat, when the units are arranged in alineplate M of one unit receivesthe sharp edge of the front plate of the ad jacent unit, therebypreserving the water seal. lVhen the units are disposed at an angle, asalso shown in Fig. 1, the plates of the adjacent units overlap.

I utilize a plurality of plates M, for two reasons: first, because ofthe possibility of a stone or rock being in the path of the de scendingplates, in Which event the plate or plates which would contact the rockare left in elevated position; secondly, because it is easier tomanipulate a plurality of relatively light plates than one heavy plate.

The plates M are housed entirely below the deck of the limit and aremounted be tween two parallel partitions M, which extend longitudinallyand vertically of the unit and are secured to the deck, hull and ends ofthe unit by watertight joints, and preferably riveted in position asshown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. It will be noted that the partitions Mform the inside wall of the compartments H, I and J Extending verticallybetween the partitions M, and located adjacent the meeting edges of thecontacting plates M, are two channel iron members M Said members M arebolted or riveted to the partitions h as clearly indicated in Figs. 10and 12. i As I alongside of the desired channel to be cut, or uponeach-side of the shown in Figs and 12, the plates M are provided withcut-away portions forming shoulders M, adapted to contact a block M,

sections of the unit against relative lateral movement. It is apreferred construction,

but the details may be variously modified 20 l in actual practice.

In practising my method of dredging channels, or removing bars ofalluvial deposits, I arrange a plurality of the units position ,of thebar to be removed. I then arrange a plurality of units in divergingrelation, upstream, as clearlyshown in Fig. l of the drawings.Thecompartments H and J of the units are then flooded, and the unitsallowed to rest upon the bottom of the river. In this position. thetractive elements sink in the mud, and the bottom of the units also restupon or in the mud, depending upon the consistency thereof. In any eventthe tractive, elements and the bottom of the units tend to moor theunits and hold them in the desired position. I then lower the plates Mto the osition shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thereby e ectually sealing'thewater against lateral entrance under the units, when the latter are notflat on the bottom of the river. I

WVith the units in the .position shown in Fig. 1 the downcoming water isvirtually trapped and forced to pass between the units a which arearranged in parallelism. Naturally the velocity of this water is greatlyincreased and the loose mud, sand and other alluvial deposits arecarried down the river. There is a considerable lateral pressure ofwater against each of the units in the dam so formed, but this pressureis effectively resisted by bottoms of the units and by the tractiveelements being buried in the mud, and also the fact that the plates MThe verylargely, by are also deeply embedded in the mud.

plates alone would not be sufficient to resist Certainly they wouldbecome strained as to render diflicult this pressure. bent and so thesubsequent verticalmovement within the units. 3 In some cases, ifdeemeddesirable, hawsers might be connected to opposite units to assist inresisting the lateral presthrough 1 the partitions, the

only i the mooring effect, caused by the portion of its sides.

sure. The concave and convex" formation of the ends of the units permitinterfitting engagement, whereby a substantially even surface ispresented to the water.

After the channel has been properly cutwith the boats positioned asshown in Fig. 1, the sealing plates M are raisedand the units are movedup or down the stream. Each unit is self-propelled, and each is providedwith tractive elements now embedded in the water.. It is not necessaryto entirely'raise the units, it being sufficient to elevate one endonly. One compartment of each unit is therefore eniptiechor partiallyso, by operation of the associated pump, and the unit will then assumethe position shown in Fig. 5, the rear tractive elements being incontact with the bottom of the river- These elements are then drivenslowly to push the unit along the bottom and when in the desiredposition, the emptied compartment may again be flooded and the unitsarranged in the same formation to cut the continuation of the channel.-

There is a motor for each tractive element,

and it is obvious that the elements on one side of the unit maytherefore beoperated at a different speed than those on the other side.Consequently it is evident that the units may be guided in the water bymerely running the elements at different speeds. Obviously a rudder maybe used if desired. By navigating the units as above explained, the dam,made up of a plurality of units, may be moved into another positionwithout materially disturbing the positions of the component units.

The advantages of a self-propelled dam unit are manifest, and especiallyof a unit which ispartially submergible. The units may be moved into andout of position under their own power. Specifically, a dam unit equippedwith tractive elements adapted to propel the unit throu h the water, andalso upon the bottom of tile river, is especially desirable. Theunitsare usually working in shallow water and when travelingtherethrough under power from the tractive elements, if the elementsstrike the bottom they will crawl thereover until the water beyond isdeep enough to again. float the unit. If a greater speed is desired intraveling upon the water, a seperate propeller may be utilized for thispurpose. Any well known form of supplemental propeller is adaptable, solong as it does not project below the bottom of the unit.

The units are of light draft, but are of suflicient heigth to rest uponthe river bottom and still leave above the water a substantial It is tobe noted that the tractive elements pass over the rollers 6, 6, and thatthe curvature of the chain is initiated by the foremost of said rollersand ended by the Ill no matter which as indicated in Fig. 5 the tractiveelement is operative either adjacent the bow or stern, to propel theunitwhile partially submerged,

Many modifications of my be suggested to those skilled in. the art, butI do not wish to be limited to the details herein shown, but desire toavail myself of all such embodiments as fall fairly within the scope ofthe appended claims.

claim:

1. A lioa-table dam unit provided with means for varying itsdisplacement, and with self-contained propelling means whereby the unitmay be moved through the water or along the bottom thereof.

2. A floatable dam unit as defined provided with means for varying itsdisplacement whereby it may be allowed to rest upon the bottom of thewater, and with self-contained means for propelling the unit along thebottom.

3. A fioatable dam unit provided with a self-contained powered tractivemechanism capable of propelling the unit through the water or along thebottom, in combination with means for varying the displacement of saidunit whereby it may rest upon the bot tom, and with means for preventingany lateral flow of water under said unit when resting on the bottom.

river dredging unit comprising a boat or" sullicient depth to rest uponthe river bottom without submerging its deck, and equipped with pumpsand sinking valves for varying its displacement, in combination withmeans carried by the unit and adjustable to positions below the boat forpreventing any lateral flow of water thereunder when it rests upon theriver bottom, and means carried by the boat and capable of propelling itthrough the water or along the bottom, substantially as described.

5. A river dredging unit comprising a boat or a depth permitting it torestupon the river bottom without subnierging its deck, in combinationwith means for varying the displacement of the unit, self-containedmeans for propelling it through the water or along the bottom thereof,and means carried by the boat for preventing any lateral flow of waterthereunder while resting on the bottom.

6. A river dredging unit comprising a boat adapted to rest upon thebottom without submerging its deck and equipped with means for varyingits displacement, in combination with means for propelling the boatthrough the water, said means also being operable to propel the boatwhile it is lightly resting on the bottom, to facilitate the accuratepositioning of the boat with respectto the direction oi the currentflow.

7. A river dredging unit comprising a rearmost. Consequently, end iselevated,

invention will boat equipped with mean for varying its displacement ateach end, in combination with means for propelling the boat through thewater, said means also being operable to propel the boat on the bottomof the river when either end thereof is not resting upon the bottom,substantially as described.

8. A river dredging unit comprising a boat equipped with means forvarying its displacement and with propelling mechanism capable offorcing the boat through the water Or along the bottom thereof, saidmechanism also serving to moor the unit upon the river bottom, when saidunit is sunk to dam forming position.

A dam unit equipped with vertically reciprocable elements adapted tocontrol the lateral flow of water beneath the unit and dividing thelatter into sections, means forming guideways for said elements andbracing said sections against relative lateral movement, and a membercarried by said guideways and limiting the upward move ment of saidelement.

dam unit provided with longitudinally-extending parallel partitionswhich form, with the top and sides of the unit, water tight compartmentson each side there-' of, vertically reciprocable elements located whollybelow the deck of the unit, extensible below the unit and operable tocontrol the lateral flow of water therebeneath, and members extendingbetween said partitions and securing said sections against relativelateral movement.

11. A dam unit equipped of vertically reciprocable alined platesextensible below the units to control the lateral flow of watertherebeneath, said plates having edges adapted for interfitting engage-105 ment each to each, whereby a lateral flow of water between theplates is prevented.

12. A dam unit equipped with a vertically 'reciprocable elementextensible below the unit to control the lateral flow of water 110therebeneath, said element extending lo11 gitudinally of the unit andbeyond each end thereof. i

13. The combination with two dam units arranged in dam forming position,of a ver- 115 tically reciprocable member carried by each unit andextending beyond the end thereof and adapted for cooperativeinterfitting engagement with the projecting end of the member carried bythe other unit, whereby 120 to control the lateral flow of water betweenthe units, substantially as described.

14:. A dam made up of a plurality of units individually movable undertheir own power through the water or upon the bot- 125 with a pluralityV lateral flow of water therebeneath. 15. The method of dredging achannel in the bottom of a body of running water, 139

which consists in moving which. consists in partially submerging alurality of dam units until they rest in dam orming position upon thebottom, and

thereafter sealing any spaces between the res ective units and alsobetween said units an said bottom against lateral flow of the water,whereby the water is forced to cut the desired channel. 16. The methodof dredging a channel in the bottom of a body of running water, damunits under their own power to a predetermined position, submerging saidunits in such position until they restupon the bottom, and sealing anyspace between the respective units and also between the units and thebottomfof the body of water, against lateral flow of the water under andbetween said units.

17. The method of dredging a channel in the bottom of a body of runningwater, which consists 'in so arranging and partially submerging alurality of dam units that they rest upon t e bottoin of the body ofwater in dam forming position, and thereafter sealing any spaces beneathand between the units and thereby preventing any lateral flow of waterbeneath said units when so arranged and positioned;

' 18. The method of cutting a continiious channel inthe bottom of a bodyof running "water, which consists in partially submerging the units inga plurality of dam units until they rest in dam forming position uponthe bottom whereby the water is forced to cut a section of the desiredchannel, thereafter decreasing the displacement of the units and movingthem to a new position and similar arrangement and causing the water toout another and continuing section of the channel.

19. The. method channel in the bottom of a of 7 cutting a continuousbody of running water, which consists in partially submeig ing aplurality in dam forming position upon the bottom of dam units untilthey rest whereby the water is forced to cut a section of the desiredchannel and thereafter inovunder their own power, and

longitudinally of the cut channel, to a simi- .rangement and causing Iother and continuing section of the channel.

water, which consists in partially submerging a plurality of dam unitsuntil they rest in dam forming pos tion upon the bottom, thereaftersealing any spaces'between the units and the bottom thereby preventinglateral flowof the waterunder said units, whereby the water is forcedtocut a'section of the desired channel and thereafter moving the unitsunder their own power and longitudinally of the cut channel, to asimilar dam forming position and forcing the water to cut a continuationof said channel.

21. The method of cutting a continuous channel in the bottom of a bodyof running water, which consists in partially submerging a plurality ofdam units until they'rest in dam forming position upon the bottom,thereafter sealing any spaces between the units and the bottom, therebylateral flow of the water under said units, whereby the water is forcedto cut a section of the desired channel, thereafter decreas ing thedisplacement of the units and moving them to a new position and similarar- 22. The metliodof cutting a continuous channel in a body of runningwater which consists in arranging, under. their power, a plurality ofdam units in dam forming position, subni'erging said units in sucharrangement until they rest upon the bottom of the river, spaces betweensaid units and between the units and the river bottom, whereby the wateris forced to cut a section of thedesired channel, and thereafter movingthe units along the bottom of the river while preserving the dam formingarrangement, again sealing the spaces as beforesaid and forcing thewater to cut a continuation of the channel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' CARL J. BAER.

the water to cut an own thereafter sealing the preventing

